In this section you will find some food storage, refrigerator maintenance and usage tips.
Correct refrigerator temperature settings
Many people ask themselves:
“What is the correct refrigerator temperature setting?”
If fresh food and freezer parts of your refrigerator have separate temperature controls, the answer is simple:
Set the refrigerator part to 38 degrees Fahrenheit (3°C) and freezer part to 0 degrees Fahrenheit (-18°C).
Bacteria grows most rapidly between 40 degrees Fahrenheit (4°C) and 140 degrees Fahrenheit (60°C). Zero degrees Fahrenheit (-18°C) is the temperature, suitable for long term frozen items preservation. Do remember: proper refrigerator temperature setting is very important for healthy food storage.
If your refrigerator only has a single temperature control, try setting the dial to a medium setting first. Measure the temperature - fresh food compartment temperature should not be higher than 40 degrees Fahrenheit (4°C).
There is usually also a temperature balance control to direct more or less cold air from the freezer to the fridge section. It may be controlled by a knob or by a sliding panel of some sort. Look for something which will control this air flow in your refrigerator.
Refrigerator Food Storage tips
Wrap refrigerated food in plastic wrap, foil, plastic bags or airtight containers to keep them from drying out. This is especially important if your refrigerator has automatic defrosting function and/or humidity control.
Wrap frozen items in freezer quality wrap, plastic bags or sealed containers. This will keep food from drying up and prevent odor cross contamination of different food items.
Label contents and storage date on the containers.
Wash and dry fresh vegetables. Store them in air tight bags or plastic containers.
Wash and dry fresh fruit; store aromatic fruits (peaches, strawberries,...) in plastic bags or containers.
Store fresh foods, dairy and deli products in appropriate compartments to keep them fresh. Those compartments maintain proper temperature and humidity levels.
Freezer Burn Facts - You can Prevent It
A condition which happens to frozen food, freezer burn is not something to really get worried about. Even though your steak may look discolored and covered in frost, it does not mean there is something wrong with it. A lot of people, particularly those who buy food in bulk and store it in their freezer, have experienced this at one time in their life.
Freezer Cooking - What You Need to Know About It
Another good food storage idea, freezer cooking, also known as once-a-month cooking, is fast becoming popular among individuals who enjoy home-cooked meals but do not have the time to prepare them on a daily basis. It is believed that this method of cooking was conceptualized out of the need of most homemakers to ensure their children eat nutritious and delicious foods at dinner time.
Freezer Recipes - Convenient and Efficient
If cooking meals is a challenge, freezer recipes will provide you with the perfect solution. The principle behind these recipes is actually simple. Instead of cooking and preparing meals on a daily basis, you only need to do it once every month. You will just cook large quantities of a particular recipe and divide them into portions. To preserve their taste and freshness, you will have to store them in well-sealed containers and then put them inside the freezer. You can choose to thaw the meals in the morning or just pop them in the oven as soon as you get home from work.
Freezing Food - Basic Guide and Tips
For practical reasons, people prefer freezing food. This will allow them to cut back on their grocery trips and have more time to spend on more important things. If you are one of these people who buy food in bulk and store them in your freezer, you should know that there is a proper way of doing this. If you do it right, you will be able to ensure your family fresh and great tasting food when it is time to eat. In addition, you also need to know the different freezing requirements of certain food especially those which spoil easily.
Refrigerator Defrosting - No-Frost, Frost Free & Auto Defrost Fridges Save Time and Effort
Refrigerator defrosting is a process of eliminating layers of frost or ice in your freezer. The defrosting methods can be automatic or manual, by heater or thermostat. An Auto Defrost, No-Frost or Frost Free refrigerator will save a lot of time and effort compared to a Manual Defrost refrigerator. When you say refrigerator defrosting, you are referring to the process of removing frost or ice from the freezer or evaporator. Modern refrigerators have automatic controls that help prevent frost formation on the freezers or evaporators. These defrost systems are basic features you can find even in low end refrigerator models.